Heathrow’s beleaguered Terminal 5 was thrown into chaos again yesterday as snowfalls led to 144 flights being cancelled.

Thousands of passengers were stranded or forced to find alternative flights due to the weather and continuing problems with the airport operator BAA’s automated baggage system.

British Airways said more than 60 of its flights to the terminal and a similar number from it were grounded after air traffic controllers reduced the number of aircraft allowed take off and land per hour because of snow.

Another 55 flights were cancelled at Gatwick, most of them BA and easyJet domestic and short haul flights. A further 12 were scrapped at Heathrow Terminal 5 because of baggage handling problems.